Mission guide
Nigeria Calabar Mission
A southern Nigerian mission centered on historic Calabar, where English and Igbo are spoken.
- English
- Igbo
Nigeria Calabar Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
Nigeria Calabar Mission T-Shirt
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Nigeria Calabar Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Nigeria Calabar Mission Flag Map Shirt
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Choose size & color →I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission
2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
Weak Things Become Strong, in the language of this mission
"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
About the mission
The mission's listed languages are English and Igbo. English is widely used in Nigeria, while Igbo is an important regional language.
At a glance
- Country
- Nigeria
- Main city
- Calabar, 571,500 people in a 2022 estimate
- Time zone
- West Africa Time (UTC+1)
- Climate
- Tropical monsoon, with about nine months of rain and three months of dry weather
- Church in Nigeria
- 250,341 members, 77 stakes, 840 congregations, 11 missions
A short history of the area
Calabar has been an international seaport since the 16th century. It became involved in the Atlantic slave trade, and British control expanded after Queen Victoria signed a protection treaty with the king and chiefs of Akwa Akpa in 1884. Calabar was also captured by Nigerian forces during the Biafra War in 1967.
The Church here
- Early 1960sChurch leaders tried to establish a mission in Nigeria after Nigerians organized unofficial congregations, but missionary visas could not be obtained.
- After the Nigerian Civil WarIme Eduok, Anthony Obinna, and others continued ministering to people who hoped to join the Church.
- 1978Following President Spencer W. Kimball’s revelation on priesthood ordination and temple blessings, the Church was established in Nigeria.
- January 1979The Cross River State District was organized in Calabar, the first district in Nigeria, with Ime O. Eduok as president.
- 1988The first stake in Nigeria was organized in Aba, with David W. Eka as president.
- 2005The Aba Temple was dedicated.
- 2018More than 160,000 Latter-day Saints lived in Nigeria, 40 years after the first baptisms there.
Temples nearby
Calabar Nigeria Temple
Announced · Near Calabar
Uyo Nigeria Temple
Announced · About 30 miles from Calabar
Eket Nigeria Temple
Announced · About 35 miles from Calabar
Aba Nigeria Temple
Dedicated August 7, 2005 · About 65 miles from Calabar
The Book of Mormon here
Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.
Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Before you go
Phrases to learn
- NdewoHello
- Kedu?How are you?
- DaalụThank you
- BikoPlease
Foods to try
- Jollof rice (seasoned rice cooked with tomatoes and peppers)
- Suya (spiced grilled meat)
- Pounded yam (smooth yam served with soup)
- Egusi soup (a thick soup made with ground melon seeds)
Fun facts
- The Calabar Carnival began in 2004 and takes place throughout December.
- The National Museum building was flat-packed, shipped from Britain, and built in Calabar in 1884.
- The Drill Rehabilitation Centre was founded in 1991 and has recorded more than 250 drill births from rehabilitated wild-born parents and their offspring.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.